Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

Food is medicine. Its a refrain you hear a lotincluding from doctors. Which is why its surprising news that MDs arent taught exactly how food and wellness are connected in medical school. According to integrative and functional medicine Frank Lipman, MD, when he was in medical school, the curriculum devoted no more than two hours to nutrition. And to his knowledge, not much has changed since. Its still a huge deficiency in the current medical training of physicians, he says.

This month, Harvards Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) released a report urging undergraduate, graduate, and medical school training for doctors to include more nutritional training. This will allow doctors to support better outcomes for individual patients and to address the most common and costly health risks facing our country, reads the report, with additional recommendations that nutrition education be a requirement for physicians to keep their medical license.

Of course physicians should receive more nutrition education, Dr. Lipman says. We have to get beyond the disease care model that we doctors get trained in where the only therapeutic tools taught are drugs and surgery. If we are going to practice health care, nutrition is essential to any health care model. In the current disease care model, nutrition should play a much more important role.

Integrative family medicine physician Bindiya Gandhi, MD agrees. Doctors only spend one hour learning about nutrition in four years of medical schoolits not enough, she says. I wish we spent more time when I was a medical student. Nutrition is always a good base to start with patients and lifestyle medicine is the way to go when treating a lot different ailments ranging from diabetes to autoimmune disease and more. Dr. Gandhi adds that doctors are taught to treat disease; the education on prevention is minimal.

With the rise in interest in integrative health, the tide may be changingbut it will take systematic curriculum changes to weave in the food is medicine approach into medical training. But with this urging from Harvard, its at least a start.

Health professionals love the Mediterranean diet, and so will you:

Heres what nutrition means to ten people who work in wellness. Plus, nine ready-made healthy foods that are cheaper to buy than make yourself.

Originally posted here:
Doctors only spend one hour learning about nutrition in four years of medical schoolits not enough - Well+Good

Delaware News Desk

ThursdayOct3,2019at11:15PM

Beebe Healthcares Community Outreach and Integrative Health team will host two classes in October at Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave.

Integrative Mental Health 101: Getting to the Root of What Ails You will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 9. Carolyn Trasko, an Integrative Mental Health Specialist, will give a presentation to gain a deeper understanding of how the relationship between the mind, and emotional, psychological and physical experiences offers important clues to help manage and potentially overcome chronic health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Mind-Body Medicine consists of a model of whole-person care that utilizes a focus on mind, brain, body and spirit to identify and treat illness.

The class is free, but registration is requested to integrative-mental-health-101-lewes.eventbrite.com

Healing Encounters: Alternative Therapies for Pain Management, from CBD Oils to Tai Chi, is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 23. Explore the latest, most effective non-opioid solutions to pain management with leading integrative medicine physician Uday Jani. Jani will describe the numerous options available, including the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine, the therapeutic properties of the arts including mind-body medicine, electrical modalities, herbal supplements and the new promise of cannabidiol/CBD oils. Learn more about the power of alternative medicines healing encounters to restore a state of health naturally at this intriguing talk.

This class is free, but registration is requested to alternative-therapies-for-pain-management-lewes.eventbrite.com.

For more, visit beebehealthcare.org.

Read more here:
Beebe Healthcare to host Integrative Health classes in October - Milford Beacon

St. Elizabeth Healthcare announced this week a partnership with doTERRA, a global aromatherapy and essential oils company.

In a news release, St. Elizabeth said that doTERRA will play a foundational role in the development of its Center for Integrative Oncology within the new Cancer Center that will open in 2020 in Edgewood.

When the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center opens next fall, it will include nearly an entire floor of the building that is dedicated to the holistic, patient-centered approach to care known as integrative oncology, said Garren Colvin, president and chief executive officer of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, in a news release. We want patients (and their caregivers) to have as much support and access to resources as possible under one roof.

The doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology will be more than 8,400 square feet on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center.

In a news release, the doTERRA Center was described as providing a calming space with holistic care options to complement St. E's comprehensive medical care, which would include essential oils and aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, and a spa-like atmosphere for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Experts at St. Elizabeth will also conduct clinical trials related to complementary and alternative medicine, providing evidence-based options that may help patients better manage symptoms.

Our priority at St. Elizabeth is to offer the highest quality care and comfort to our patients and their loved ones, said Dr. Doug Flora, executive medical director of oncology services at St. Elizabeth. Adding supplemental resources will help improve the quality of life for our patients and families as they are going through diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.

DoTERRA contributed $5 million to the St. Elizabeth Foundation Cancer Center Community Campaign, the largest donation ever received by the foundation.

doTERRA is honored to join St. Elizabeth Healthcare in supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment, said Dr. David Hill, founding executive, scientific & healthcare initiatives of doTERRA. Going through chemotherapy, radiation and other related treatments are challenging experiences. We are pleased to help bring support to these individuals through the doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology during their healing journey.

-Staff report

See the article here:
St. Elizabeth Announces Partnership with Essential Oils, Aromatherapy Company - The River City News

The Well has built a tranquil retreat in the heart of Union Square, NYC

With the overwhelming boom of both wellness and members clubs, it should come as no surprise that one particularly elegant combination of both realms has become the talk of the town in New York City.

Newly opened this month, The Well, a membership-based club that creates integrated and personalised wellness plans for its members, touts an offering that professes to be the first of its kind. A union of both Western medicine and Eastern healing, the clubs programme features a best-in-class rota of wellness practitioners, fitness trainers and health coaches, who have come together to create a comprehensive approach to personal health.

Founded by Rebecca Parekh (the former COO for Deepak Chopra), Kane Sarhan, (formerly the head of brand at Starwood Capital Group and 1 Hotels) and Sarrah Hallock (previously in marketing for beverage brands including vitaminwater, Bai and WTRMLN WTR), The Well was conceived as a place where individuals could integrate health, well-being and the enjoyment of a destination luxury experience into one enticing package that busy urban professionals will be hard-pressed to resist.

The heart of the club. Photography: Kris Tamburello

The whole concept of the club is if you brought a destination spa to the city and brought together both Eastern and Western modalities in one place for holistic health and wellness, explains Sarhan. Its all with the feeling and service of a luxury membership club or five star hotel, so its actually a place you want to go and it doesnt feel like work to take care of yourself.

To this end, The Well has built a tranquil retreat right in the heart of Union Square. Designed by Liubasha Rose and spread over three floors, The Well provides members access to unlimited yoga, meditation and movement classes in its studio, access to the private training gym where signature, proprietary classes are offered, a reflexology room, steam room and sauna, as well as a ten-room spa with an extensive treatment menu that includes acupuncture, reiki, craniosacral, mysofacial, lymph drainage and deep tissue massage, amongst others. Each members wellness plan is overseen by a dedicated health coach during monthly one-on-one sessions, to ensure the best results and outcome, while a team of experts well-versed in areas including functional and integrative medicine, Chinese medicine, sports medicine and Ayurveda will uniquely communicate with each other to offer a holistic approach that takes every individuals needs and goals to heart.

The Meditation Room. Photography: Kris Tamburello

A boutique filled with practitioner-vetted beauty and wellness products sits by the entrance, while a caf and restaurant from the team behind city favourite Caf Clover is set to open shortly.

The city is so over-saturated and chaotic [that] we wanted to create a place where the minute you walk through the door, all of that melts away, says Rose, who created a feeling of continuity and positivity linking all of the clubs different areas. The design is serene, with a soft color palate full of texture and then certain areas have moments where the club is in bloom with colour.Its the balance of the tonal-to-vibrant that makes for a relaxing and engaging environment.

We want to change the narrative and relationship around wellness, Sarhan concludes, revealing that two more locations (one more in New York and one in Los Angeles) are already in the works. This club is our first step towards building a global brand that changes the way people think about their health.

Original post:
The Well has built a tranquil retreat in the heart of Union Square, NYC - Wallpaper*

The Massachusetts Association of Reflexology (MAR) is invited to support breast cancer patients, survivors and families with complementary, holistic services at the next Integrative Therapies Expo, sponsored by PinkHippy.org on Sunday, October 13, 2019, at Sturbridge Host Hotel, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge, Massachusetts 01566

This event is open and free to anyone that has been touched by breast cancer. Come and spend an afternoon learning and experiencing various healing modalities. There will also be lectures, demonstrations, and information, including a section dedicated to services for cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Vendors have generously donated their time and their expertise to support this event.

Some of the healing services offered:

Reflexology is the ancient art of healing. It can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment to obtain relief from a variety of conditions from general stress to specific disorders. This gentle and non-invasive healing art originated in Chinese and Egyptian medicine 5,000 years ago.

There are more than 15,000 nerve endings in the feet connected to every organ and body system. To increase energy flow, release toxins, and support body systems. A trained and certified Reflexologist uses their thumbs and fingers to stimulate the 15,000 nerve endings and bring the body back to homeostasis to encourage healing.

Healing Place LLC specializes in helping people of all ages to break pain cycles of chronic pain, chronic digestive problems, and balance hormones naturally. If you would like to learn how Reflexology can support your health, please schedule a FREE consultation on the HealingPlaceMedfield.com website or call 508.359.6463.

More:
Invitation: Integrative Therapies Expo for Breast Cancer - Patch.com

The Community College of Rhode Islands Health Sciences department will host the Changing the Culture of Pain Treatment Symposium on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the colleges Knight Campus in Warwick.

The program is supported by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services Health System Transformation Project. Doors open at 7 a.m. in the Great Hall, with presentations from 7:45 a.m. to noon.

The symposium will feature a two-part panel discussion with experts from the occupational therapy, psychiatry and community health fields, among others, to introduce evidence-based alternative treatments for non-opioid pain relief.

According to Prevent Overdose RI, a Task Force established by Gov. Gina Raimondo in 2015 to combat the states overdose death crisis, more than 300 Rhode Islanders lost their lives to overdose each year from 2016 through 2018, peaking with 336 overdose deaths in 2016. The main goal of the Task Force is to reduce the number of deaths each year.

We are seeing a change in protocol and practice nationwide regarding the use of opioids to treat pain, and our symposium is an important step in helping healthcare professionals understand there are more thoughtful and far less addictive alternatives, said Suzanne Carr, Ph.D., RN and CCRIs interim dean of health and rehabilitative sciences. There is a whole range of treatment options available that do not involve the use of opioids.

With 177 overdose deaths already reported in 2019, according to Prevent Overdose RI, there is still work to be done, and the use of non-opioid treatments to manage both acute and chronic pain is the focus of this years Changing the Culture of Pain Treatment Symposium.

The goal among panelists is to emphasize the benefits of non-opioid pain treatments such as clinical massage therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy and naturopathic medicine in an effort to change the current culture of pain management. Panelists will discuss their approach to treating pain while outlining the psychosocial risk factors and evaluating the outcomes of integrative therapy options.

This years symposium walks the attendee through safe steps to manage pain, said Regina Cobb, MSW, BCLMT, CCRIs Therapeutic Massage Program director and the symposium course director. Pain management using integrated therapies is an additional way healthcare professionals can respond to the opioid concerns afflicting our community.

Dr. Matthew Smith, EMHL, a clinical orthopedic professor at Brown, will moderate the course, which begins with a presentation on Pain Neuroscience and Psychologically Informed Care by CCRI professor and licensed physical therapist Jennifer Hurrell, PT, MS, DHSc.

Symposium panelists include Nancy Dooley, Ph.D., OTR.L, associate professor of occupational therapy at Johnson & Wales University; Ellyn Flynn, MD, MTS, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Brown; Victoria Moutahir, MS, BCLMT, adjunct faculty member of CCRIs Rehabilitative Health Department; Julia Twining, MSN, RN, OCN, advanced practice manager at The Miriam Hospital; Jennifer Jackson, DAOM, MSOM, LMT, Ocean Ki Acupuncture; Martine Delonnay, ND, MD, founder and CEO of Delonnay Holistics; Michael Gottfried, B.A., M.A., D.C., chiropractic physician at Aquidneck Chiropractic; Latisha Michel, CCHW, Newport Health Equity Zone; Jennifer Reynolds, PT, TPS, Reynolds Physical Therapy; and Frank Sparadeo, Ph.D., instructor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Salve Regina University.

Registration costs $25 per person and available online. The fee includes a light breakfast. CCRI has teamed with the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University this year to provide Continuing Medical Education course credits. CCRI has applied for Continuing Nursing Education nursing contact hours for registered attendees through the Northeast Multistate Division. Professionals and students in the fields of physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, and social work will earn a certificate of completion for attending the symposium, which they can use to apply for accreditation.

For more information, visit ccri.edu.

View post:
CCRI to host symposium on 'Changing the Culture' of pain treatment - Warwick Beacon

Inside a laboratory at UCI Medical Center, an oncologist will test a chemotherapy-free leukemia cure that harnesses patients immune systems to defeat the disease.

On a patch of land near the Irvine Barclay Theatre, construction crews will erect a stunning museum to house UCIs renowned collection of California art.

In apartments and homes around the state, incoming UCI freshmen who are the first in their families to attend college will receive newly funded scholarships to help them achieve the American dream.

These and dozens of other scenarios will begin unfolding under Brilliant Future, a $2 billion UCI fundraising and engagement effort that formally kicked off Oct. 4. Billed as the largest philanthropic campaign in Orange County history, the eight-year drive is designed to transform the campus and fuel groundbreaking discoveries.

No matter what issue you care about climate change, health, the arts, clean energy, educating the next generation UCI is working on it, says Brian T. Hervey, vice chancellor for university advancement and alumni relations. This campaign expands our capacity for trailblazing research and student success.

It also illustrates the growing importance of private donations at public institutions across the country. At UCI, state funding accounts for about 9 percent of UCIs annual operating budget. Some of the most creative scientific investigations and innovative buildings on campus are now powered by foundations and philanthropists.

UCIs mission is to change lives for the better, and a vital part of accomplishing that involves support from community partners, patients, alumni and parents who share our vision, says UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman.

Leading the charge for UCIs Brilliant Future campaign are Jimmy Peterson, former CEO of Microsemi Corp., and his wife, Sheila, president of Beachside Books, a boutique publishing house. Both are UCI Foundation trustees. They are joined by Broadcom co-founder Henry Samueli and his wife, Susan, also a foundation trustee, who are serving as honorary chairs for UCI Health in the campaign.

As the Petersons see it, the best avenue to making a difference in the world is through supporting a university, because thats where the bright minds are, Sheila Peterson says.

UCIs stellar academics and research make it one of the greatest resources on the planet, Jimmy Peterson adds. Ive raised money for other organizations, but this campaign has more heart appeal its something that benefits not only Orange County but the world.

Encompassing everything from artificial intelligence in medicine to xylophones for UCIs jazz program, Brilliant Future proposes an ambitious agenda for the campus. The list of priorities and projects was developed over several years in consultation with faculty, students, staff and community leaders, Hervey says.

Brilliant Future is UCIs second comprehensive funding campaign. Its predecessor, a decadelong initiative launched in 2005, raised more than $1 billion that was used to finance pioneering autism research, establish 50 endowed professorships and create the internationally renowned Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, among other achievements.

The new campaign began as soon as the last one ended, in August 2015, but remained in a quiet phase until this fall. Typically, university drives dont go public until about 40 percent of the overall target has been raised. As of Aug. 31, shortly before UCI Magazine went to press, Brilliant Future had tallied $762 million toward its $2 billion goal.

Quiet-phase donations included: a $40 million commitment from Bill Gross and Sue Gross in 2016 to establish a school of nursing; a $200 million pledge in 2017 from the Samuelis the largest gift in UCI history to found a new college of health sciences focused on integrative health; and two troves of artwork valued in the tens of millions of dollars each from The Irvine Museum (2016) and the estate of Orange County developer Gerald Buck (2017).

For the public phase of the campaign, UCI officials will solicit contributions toward four overarching objectives: advancing the American dream, transforming healthcare and wellness, accelerating world-changing research and exploring the human experience.

The American dream category aims to fortify UCIs nationally recognized effort to enroll outstanding students regardless of socioeconomic status or background by providing more scholarships and support to low-income, first-generation and other underserved groups.

To revolutionize healthcare, UCI plans to expand its clinical trials and research; erect cutting-edge patient treatment centers; and pioneer a new paradigm in personalized, integrative medicine.

On the research front, UCI promises to hasten groundbreaking discoveries by opening multidisciplinary laboratories, recruiting top scientists and encouraging more cross-department collaboration.

The fourth pillar calls for exploring the human experience and reimagining creativity via arts programs; humanities research; and projects to address some of societys most vexing challenges, such as homelessness and environmental sustainability.

The campaign also includes a parallel objective: strengthening connections with UCI alumni.

The goal is to entice at least 75,000 Anteaters about a third of UCIs alumni population to attend an event, mentor a current student or otherwise engage with their alma mater, says Jack Toan 95, MBA 02, president of UCIs Alumni Association. Bolstering alumni involvement can be a challenge.

When I went to UCI in the 1990s, it was more of a commuter school, so I didnt feel as connected to the campus, Toan says.

A stronger alumni network would be a boon, in part because UCI graduates represent an increasing number of first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds, who often dont have as many social and career support systems.

Says Toan: I would love to see more of our alumni pay it forward on the opportunities they received here.

That, in turn, could improve the universitys financial picture and academic prestige by boosting its U.S. News & World Report ranking, which is partially based on the percentage of former students who give to the campus.

We invest where our hearts are, Toan says.

Hoping to fortify emotional ties to UCI, officials are planning regional and family-focused programming, as well as virtual events for alumni to participate in wherever they may live.

And the association wants to form additional special interest chapters so that Anteaters can engage with each other based on their cultural or industry affiliations.

The big-ticket items on Brilliant Futures list of funding priorities include a medical center to be built on university property (bringing UCIs innovative brand of healthcare to south Orange County), a world-class museum and institute devoted to the universitys acclaimed collection of California art, new research buildings, and naming gifts to support existing structures and programs.

Generous contributions are also being sought to create endowed faculty chairs and scholarships, improving the universitys ability to recruit top professors and students.

Together, such donations promise to transform the campus physically and academically. They will also widen UCIs beneficial impacts for Orange County and beyond, says campaign director Karen Isble, associate vice chancellor for university advancement.

Because nine out of 10 UCI graduates stay in California, the university plays a critical role in the states economic well-being, Isble notes. UCI is a catalyst for research and entrepreneurship that create jobs and pay off exponentially, she adds.

And the Brilliant Future campaign will enable the university to multiply that payoff in ways large and small. As Joshua Grill, director of the renowned UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, puts it: We are at the forefront of finding solutions, but we need the help of the community to make these promising studies as successful as possible.

View post:
Funding the Future - UCI News

Meghalaya and other parts of the Northeast are losing their rich endemic floral diversity.

A study done by researchers from the North Eastern Hill University (Nehu) and others and published in the current issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa says most species considered endemic to Meghalaya have extended geographic distribution to neighbouring states and other countries.

The study was done by Aabid Hussain Mir and Krishna Upadhaya of the North Eastern Hill University, Dilip Kumar Roy and Chaya Deori of the Botanical Survey of India and Bikarma Singh of the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu.

The study says 548 plant taxa are endemic to Northeast India or Indo-Burma or the eastern Himalaya region, compared to the 1,236 species reported earlier. Of these, 115 species are exclusively endemic to Meghalaya.

The dominant life form is epiphytes (25.4 per cent), followed by trees (25 per cent), shrubs (21.7 per cent), herbs (21 per cent), climbers (6.6 per cent) and parasites (0.4 per cent). In terms of species richness, Orchidaceae is the largest family with 146 species and Bulbophyllum is the dominant genera represented by 15 species.

A majority of the endemic taxa are restricted to protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and small forest patches preserved in the form of community forests or sacred groves. Lesser known species with small populations outside the protected areas are on the verge of extinction due to a number of anthropogenic activities, warranting immediate conservation measures, it says.

The degree of endemism for an area is cited as a measure of the uniqueness of the flora. Researchers involved in the study say 3,334 plant species are known from the state, information on endemic species is scarce and a complete checklist of endemic plants is still lacking. Some studies have been carried out to enumerate endemic species, but these are inadequate. Many new taxa have been described from the state in the recent past and several taxa, earlier considered endemic to the state, have been reported from other parts of the world.

The present study was conducted to assess the diversity of endemic plants in the state and provide base-line information on their distribution. This will help in conservation and management of target species.

The study says the present checklist substantially reduces the number of endemic species from previous studies but in no way downlists Meghalayas global importance in endemism.

It says the rich genetic diversity has been depleted and many plant species are facing the threat of extinction. This is evident by the fact that endemic species such as Carex repanda and Sterculia khasiana are considered possibly extinct.

Therefore, it may be concluded that the state is rich in endemic flora but since the last few decades, the forests in the region have been disappearing at an alarming rate... has resulted in the degradation of the environment and habitat of native species of the state, it says.

The study calls for an urgent need to conserve the remaining endemic flora.

It says ecological restoration through re-vegetation of the disturbed areas should be done using indigenous tree species and intensive taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, vegetation surveys and biogeographical research should be conducted on the endemic flora. Moreover, in situ conservation efforts have to be supported by adequate ex situ conservation measures.

Continue reading here:
Where has the rich floral diversity gone? - Telegraph India

Weight loss: Try short- workouts like HIIT and tabata workouts to maintain weight

The festive season surely brings with itself celebration and a much-needed break from the otherwise monotonous life. But what makes the arrival of festive season a good-enough reason to skip exercising and workout, is really difficult to comprehend. Highlighting the same is lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho on social media. Through a live session, he talks about the importance of maintaining your health during the festive season and holidays. It is in fact possible to enjoy the celebration during festivities with full fervour without worry about weight gain. Read here to know how.

1. In his post, Luke talks about how there is no need of skipping on having sweets during Diwali. And likewise, there is also no need for skipping exercise. All it takes is an hour or even 30 minutes to complete a workout and you can always find time to do it.

Exercising for even 30 minutes can help you maintain weight during the festive seasonPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Try These High Protein Breakfast Options Which Can Help You Lose Weight

2. What's more is that if you don't find the time to hit the gym, you can browse several short, quick and effective workouts on the internet. For instance, Kayla Itsines, the celebrity fitness expert, can be your go-to person if you want to know about workouts you can do without any equipment at home. Then, HIIT and Tabata workout are other forms of short-duration workouts that can help you with weight loss and maintain good health during the festive season.

3. Luke says that a lot of people approach him for weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol (to name a few) during January and February. "It can be avoided if you treat the last three months of the year just the way you treat the rest of the year," he says.

4. Most events and parties during the festive season and holidays are at night. Enjoy your time at that time, but try to follow the rest of the day with your usual diet and exercise regime.

Also read:Follow These Tips For Eating Out To Avoid Gaining Weight And Consuming Extra Calories

5. Try to have at least 2 healthy, homemade meals in a day.

Try to have at least 2 healthy meals in a day to manage your weightPhoto Credit: iStock

6. Do not wait for the new year to have your new year resolution and try to inculcate discipline in your lives today. Take a break if you want, but make sure you get back on track as soon as you can.

7. All you need to work on is your mindset. It is very much possible to maintain a balance even during festivities. Taking out a minimum of 15 minutes in a day for exercising and making the effort of having at least one healthy meal in a day should not be challenging for anyone. And even if it is, try to make up for it on days when you can.

8. Try to get proper sleep and avoid being sleep-deprived for too long. You need to sleep well to even enjoy the celebrations that are going on around you.

Also read:Weight Loss Tips: Eat Alone To Eat Less, Says Study

(Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative Medicine)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on NDTV.com. Catch all the Live TV action on NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.

Read more:
Weight Loss: Luke Coutinho Recommends These Tips To Avoid Weight Gain During The Festive Season - NDTV News

Reiki healing also known as energy healing has long been used by practitioners to aid wellbeing and rebalance the mind, body and soul. But, as an alternative therapy with little in the way of peer-reviewed, evidence-based scientific backing, how can you be sure it really works?

We investigate the practice of reiki, exploring the theory behind the therapy and revealing why it is now backed by more mainstream medical institutions:

The term reiki is derived from the Japanese words rei, meaning universal and kei, meaning life energy.

The origin of traditional reiki dates back to the early 20th century it was created by a Japanese monk and scholar, Dr Usui, who took inspiration from ancient Buddhist healing practices, explains Sharmin Begum, reiki healer and acupuncturist at triyoga.

The reiki practitioner acts like a funnel to channel vast, pure, universal energy, to reconnect and establish a more harmonised optimal energy flow. Reiki holds the space to aid overall wellbeing for your mind, body and soul.

Energy healing is said to help the flow of energy throughout the body and remove negative blocks, in a similar way to acupuncture.

Begum says reiki can be used alongside traditional Western treatments to help with both acute and chronic conditions, including the following:

Reiki tends to induce a deep sense of relaxation, helping with stress and easing anxiety, says Begum. Although Begum is keen to stress that reiki should not replace traditional medicines or therapies. Reiki should never be used as a substitute for western medicine. It is classified as complementary medicine, so ideally it should be used in conjunction with traditional medical treatment.

Reiki healing helps the client to cope emotionally with whatever they are dealing with in life, and also eases and accelerates the process of recovery, adds Begum.

Begum reveals that, as it is a non-invasive complementary therapy, reiki is suitable for everyone, including pregnant women, babies, children and animals. And when it comes to reiki's effectiveness, you can still benefit from it even if you are skeptical of the therapy.

I find it does not really matter if you believe in reiki or not to experience the benefits, Begum reveals. I find it is best to not have any expectations just go with the flow and see what happens. Even if you physically do not experience strong sensations during the actual reiki healing, generally people recognise the overall change in their wellbeing.

Dean MitchellGetty Images

Begum outlines what happens in a typical reiki session:

In a typical session, the therapist will introduce the client to reiki they will be asked if there are any particular concerns/areas in body/feelings/emotions/thoughts they would like to focus on during the reiki session.

I also ask if you feel comfortable with me resting my hands on (touch) or off your body (non-touch), or both, while I work along the major energy centres on the body, commonly known as chakras. Any time you feel uncomfortable, you simply need to say, as your practitioner will always find ways to adjust.

During the session, the client will be lying down fully clothed under a blanket with their eyes closed and in silence music is played in the background for the duration of reiki healing. The client may feel various sensations, as everyone is different. Most people experience deep relaxation, or sometimes prickling or intense cold or heat, but it is never painful and is non-invasive.

Any time you feel uncomfortable, you simply need to say, as your practitioner will always find ways to adjust.

After the reiki healing, I will discuss whether anything has come up for the client and will also give feedback as to where they felt any imbalance, especially in the major chakras on the body.

As with any form of healing, aftercare is central to the practice. After a reiki session, the client is advised to take it easy, with plenty of rest and intake of water this will further help to integrate the positive reiki healing effects. It is good to take note of any dreams or thoughts that may arise these can give insight into the healing.

If it is the first or second session of reiki, then the client may experience detoxing effects (clearing of energies), such as feeling emotional or physically strange, or maybe even tired for a day or so. Afterwards, reiki generally seems to give most people a positive boost in energy or they feel super relaxed.

Reiki healing comes with a number of relaxation benefits. Most of the people that I have used reiki healing on seem to feel some sort of instant benefit of initial calmness or deep relaxation, reveals Begum. Then, as the reiki healing becomes more integrated over the next 24 hours, they should feel more present or balanced.'

'Like exercise, the more you do it the better you feel, and everyone is different,' she adds. 'For longer lasting impact from reiki healing, it requires follow-up sessions. The spacing and frequency of reiki sessions depend upon the individuals own energy response and general lifestyle.

The benefits of reiki are widely recognised as the following:

A sense of deep relaxation

Improved overall wellbeing

Lower stress levels

Reduced anxiety

Alleviated depression

Relief from physical pain

Deeper spiritual connection

While there are extensive anecdotal reports of reikis positive effects, there is little in the way of peer-reviewed evidence.

One 2006 study, published in Holistic Nursing Practice, found that women who received traditional nursing care plus three 30-minute reiki sessions reported experiencing less pain and required fewer analgesics than a control group, following abdominal hysterectomy.

While there are extensive anecdotal reports of reikis positive effects, there is little peer-reviewed evidence.

In another study, conducted in 2011, researchers wanted to determine whether reiki reduced pain and enhanced wellbeing for chemotherapy patients. The study participants were split into three groups: the first received standard care, the second received reiki and the third received sham reiki. The results found that the reiki therapy was statistically significant but so was the sham reiki, suggesting a placebo effect.

Of the research available, experts often state that small study sizes and non-quantifiable outcomes, such as improved wellbeing and a sense of spiritual connection, mean the evidence is flawed.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that, while reiki has been studied for a variety of conditions, including pain, anxiety and depression, most of the research has not been of high quality and results have been inconsistent.

That said, personal reports of the positive effects of reiki are undeniable. Recipients have championed reiki for reducing pain, lowering stress levels, decreasing anxiety and depression, and providing greater overall wellbeing.

In light of this, some NHS trusts offer reiki healing to complement traditional pain-relief options, most commonly to cancer patients. Cancer Research UK also provides information about reiki on its website, stating that, while there is no scientific evidence to show that reiki can prevent, treat or cure cancer, many healthcare professionals accept reiki as a complementary therapy that may help to lower stress, promote relaxation and reduce pain.

Last updated: 10-10-19

Original post:
Reiki healing: the health benefits and the evidence - Netdoctor